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Raleigh vs Winston-Salem: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Raleigh has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents vs Winston-Salem's 23.5 per 1,000, making Winston-Salem 11% safer overall. Winston-Salem earns a C+ safety grade compared to Raleigh's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%
C+

Winston-Salem

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.5/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricRaleighWinston-Salem
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K23.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate421.8392.4
Property Crime Rate2232.61953.3
Murder Rate7.17.0
Assault Rate354.9324.0
Robbery Rate62.078.5
Burglary Rate371.5330.8
Theft Rate1437.71657.0
Vehicle Theft Rate362.9253.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Raleigh is safer in 2 and Winston-Salem is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Raleigh, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Winston-Salem.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Raleigh, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Winston-Salem, North Carolina Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh safer than Winston-Salem?
As of 2026, Winston-Salem is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Raleigh's 26.5. Winston-Salem earns a C+ safety grade vs Raleigh's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Raleigh or Winston-Salem?
Raleigh has more violent crime at 422 per 100,000 residents. Winston-Salem is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Raleigh vs Winston-Salem?
Raleigh has a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 422/100K, property: 2233/100K). Winston-Salem has 23.5 per 1,000 (violent: 392/100K, property: 1953/100K).
Should I move to Raleigh or Winston-Salem?
From a safety perspective, Winston-Salem has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Raleigh (pop. 506,306) and Winston-Salem (pop. 257,271) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Winston-Salem's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Raleigh and Winston-Salem compare for property crime?
Winston-Salem has lower property crime at 1953 per 100K vs Raleigh's 2233. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs CharlotteRaleigh vs GreensboroRaleigh vs Durham

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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